Flo Harris Lodge

Flo Harris Lodge

About Us

Affordable student accommodation in Sydney

About Flo

Student accommodation close to where you want to be, Flo Harris Lodge is a warm and caring community. Close to universities and colleges, Sydney’s CBD and public transport, ‘Flo’ is convenient, affordable and fun.

What’s on offer

Established by Petersham Baptist Church over 50 years ago, ‘Flo’ aims to provide residents with a warm and secure Christian environment. It’s a ‘caring community with a family atmosphere’ for young people.

Typically, Flo’s residents are aged between 18 and 25 and come from regional or rural Australia, but we also welcome residents from overseas. Most residents are here to begin tertiary studies or start their first job.

Location

Flo’s location on the corner of The Boulevarde and Hunter Streets, Lewisham, places it in a leafy suburb in close range of the Sydney CBD.

Lewisham has excellent bus and rail connections to Sydney in the east and Parramatta in the west, giving easy access to most universities and colleges, including Sydney University, UNSW, UTS, ACU, TAFE, Notre Dame and private colleges in Sydney, North Sydney and Parramatta.

Trains from Lewisham Station are every 15 minutes in peak periods and every 30 minutes for the rest of the day.

Buses to the city and other areas also stop on New Canterbury Road and Railway Parade at Lewisham Station, both a short stroll from Flo.

I moved into Flo so quiet and nervous and after spending a year here I have made lifelong friends.
It's like living with 50 of your best friends. I have grown as a person and Flo was the best thing for me.

Laura, Resident

I have found my experience at Flo to be extremely beneficial to me. I am now close enough to my College to be able to focus well on my studies, and the group of people here are great fun to be around.
Flo is a great community; fun, supportive and godly, and I have absolutely loved living here.

Dan, Resident

Living at Flo gave me a great start to my study. I made friendships I will carry with me for the rest of my life. It was great to learn my way in Sydney with other people in the same boat.

Deb, Former resident

Community life

There is lots of this! It’s what Flo is all about.

Highlights of community life at Flo include special beginning and end of year events, along with regular sport and activity nights. Orientation week is fun filled and is rounded off with the annual ‘Race Around Sydney’ and Harbour Cruise.

Meals

Dinner in the Dining Room is the main community occasion at Flo. It’s a two-course meal that starts with announcements so you know what’s going on, and a prayer to say thanks for the food. Breakfast and lunch is provided, but do-it-yourself. You do know how to pour your own cereal, right?

Activities

Some the activities that could be part of your stay at Flo:

Growth Groups —a study of the Bible to deepen your knowledge of God and for guidance on life

Games and movie nights

Trips to the theatre for plays and concerts

Basketball

Snooker/pool room

Harbour cruise

End of year dinner at Darling Harbour

Laser tag

Bowling

In-house social nights

Race Around Sydney

Sporting activities

There is a snooker and pool room and fitness room on site. We are 10 minutes’ walk from Petersham Park with an oval, tennis and basketball courts and a swimming pool.

Frequently-Asked Questions

What everyone wants to know about Flo

Is Flo only for Christians?

No! However, because Flo Harris Lodge is part of Petersham Baptist Church, we operate under the church’s constitution, practices and beliefs.

What are the rules?

Yes we do have rules. These are in place to allow the community to run smoothly. If you enquire about a place at Flo, we can provide you with the code of conduct.

Who does my washing?

Uh, you do. There are three laundry facilities on site with coin-operated washing machines and driers. OK, we’ll also wash your sheets for you once a week.

Do residents have to do duties?

Short answer: yes. Each resident is a member of a small team, responsible for one meal wash-up per week. However, we do expect residents to act responsibly by keeping rooms and common areas neat and tidy.

What security do you provide?

Each resident has their own security key, as well as a key to their own room.

A security check is made each night after supper.

Who looks after me at Flo?

Ben and Kate Stockwell.

2017 Rates

$239–$337

This includes 10GB internet access per month, all meals, electricity, water and weekly laundering of bedding.

Also the Youth Workers and Managers live on site to co-ordinate community life.

Apply for 2018

Like what you see? Get in touch!

Applications for the following year open each August.

The Application process is simple.

Submit the form below and we will be in touch.

We don’t automatically accept everyone who applies, of course. We like to meet you first and talk about what you want from Flo, but it’s a nice chat. You can bring your Mum & Dad.